- From above
- Drone, Helicopter
Who is Scott?
Want to know more about me before joining the workshop? Watch this short video where I share a bit about my journey, my passion for photography, and what drives my creative process.
Workshop Ethos :
Paul and I have spent the better part of a decade exploring the Western Australian coastline and its rugged interior through the lens of aerial photography. Now, we’re thrilled to share our passion in our second workshop together in 2026, designed to take you on a uniquely diverse journey, starting in Kalgoorlie and spanning Lake Lefroy, the salt lakes of the Wheatbelt, and other stunning locations.
This workshop blends traditional aerial photography from an R44 Robinson helicopter with the versatility of drones, allowing us to capture scenes that would be either too costly or nearly impossible to access otherwise. The helicopter lets us cover expansive ground that drones simply can’t reach, while the drones are perfect for capturing the smaller salt lakes along the way, ideal for detailed and immersive aerial shots.
Our goal is for each participant to return home with a collection of powerful aerial images, rich with story driven elements and vibrant captures of nature. Beyond that, we aim to deepen your understanding of our approach to image making. Whether you’re creating bold, abstract shots over tailings ponds or experimenting with reflections on a Salt Lake at dawn, we’ll show you how to make the most of your environment and equipment. And if you prefer to work independently without the processing tips and shooting advise, we’ll still make sure you’re set up at the best spots every day.
This workshop is extensive and you’ll have a full memory card of diverse aerial imagery by day 7. These workshops aim to provide you with a large catalogue of images in a short time. Paul and I will ensure you get plenty of amazing content but be prepared for a moderate pace, early mornings, and long distances. Prepare for an adventure!
So join us as we take to the skies over Lefroy and Kalgoorlie then hit the salt lakes of the southern wheatbelt. We can’t wait to share the breathtaking scenes that await!
About The Locations.
Kalgoorlie and the Super Pit
The Super Pit is a 3.7 kilometer long open pit gold mine located on the historic Golden Mile. This mine, which produces almost 900,000 ounces of gold annually, is surrounded by tailings ponds that showcase vivid colours and abstract shapes. Capturing the environmental scale and patterns from a doors off helicopter provides a rare chance to document the impact of human intervention on the landscape.
Lake Lefroy
Lake Lefroy, near Kambalda, is a vast salt flat known for its reflective surfaces and striking salt ridges. The lake offers a mix of untouched beauty on its eastern edge and industrial mining operations in the centre. Participants will cover this area in our doors off Helicopter, capturing abstract patterns and contrasts between nature and industry.
Lake Grace
As we journey deeper into the Wheatbelt, we’ll visit Lake Grace, another stunning Salt Lake renowned for its patterns created by mineral deposits and seasonal water levels. Drone photography over this lake reveals geometric compositions that shift throughout the day, perfect for experimenting with light and shadow.
Alcoa Tailings Ponds
On our final day, we’ll stop by the Alcoa tailings ponds south of Perth. These ponds provide an opportunity to photograph artful industrial patterns from above, with a palette of turquoise, rust, and emerald hues formed by the mining processes.
Dumbleyung Lake
We’ll also visit Lake Dumbleyung, famous for its connection to Australian history, where Donald Campbell set the world water speed record in 1964. Today, the lake offers stunning reflective surfaces ideal for aerial compositions, especially during the golden hours.
Salt Lakes near the Stirling Ranges
Formed over thousands of years through evaporation, these salt lakes shift colours from pink and white to deep blues. We’ll shoot here at sunrise and sunset to capture the interplay between light and reflective surfaces, rounding off the creative side of the workshop.
Fitzgerald National Park
This stunning, biodiverse coastal park is home to dramatic cliffs, expansive beaches, and coastal heathlands, offering endless aerial photography opportunities. We’ll capture the rugged coastline, sweeping vistas, and unique vegetation that make this park one of Australia’s most celebrated natural landscapes. The vibrant colors and textures of the park, especially near the shoreline, create ideal conditions for capturing abstract aerial compositions.
For any further details just contact Scott at scott@scottjon.com.au or call 0447744005.
Before you come
What it's really like
- Weather: cool mornings and warm days, with a few flies around
- Flights timed around the light and the tides, so the plan can change from morning to afternoon at short notice
- Doors off on every flight, so you shoot from a whole open doorway, not through a window
- Evening image reviews and editing sessions
- Comfortable hotels in town between flights
- Comfortable clothes for the outdoors. Nothing formal needed
- One or two camera bodies, so you're not changing lenses in the air
- A 24-70mm and a 70-200mm (or similar) cover nearly everything
- A wrist or neck strap for every camera. Nothing loose in a doors off aircraft
- Plenty of memory card space and fully charged batteries for each flight
- A warm windproof layer, beanie and light gloves. It's cold up there with the doors off, even in the tropics
- Sunglasses with a strap, or a pair that sits firmly
- A small camera bag that fits at your feet on the flights
- A laptop with Lightroom for the evening sessions
- Your drone, batteries and spares for the ground sessions, if the trip includes them
- Hats, scarves or anything that could blow out of the aircraft
- Large camera backpacks on the flights. They stay in the vehicle
- Tripods on the flights
- Lens hoods and filters on the flights, as the wind catches them
Cancellations and travel insurance
More than 90 days before the workshop: full refund, less a change fee of AUD $500 (about USD $330).
Between 90 and 30 days before: I'll move you to a future workshop with a credit for what you've paid, less the change fee. Credits are valid for 12 months.
Within 30 days: payments can't be refunded, as it's very hard to fill a place at short notice. If something genuinely unexpected happens, I'll always do my best to work something out with you.
If I need to cancel: whether it's minimum numbers, weather, aircraft or anything else outside my control, I'll try to reschedule first. Otherwise you can choose a full refund or a credit to another workshop.
Travel insurance is essential. Please arrange cover for cancellation, medical and evacuation from remote areas, and ideally your camera gear too. World Nomads covers travellers from over 100 countries, and guests from the US can also compare plans on Squaremouth.
Good to know
Common questions
How long are the flights?
It varies by trip, but usually around one to two hours each. The flight plan is in the itinerary.
Will I get motion sick?
Most people are completely fine. If you're prone to it, take something beforehand and keep breakfast light.
Which lenses work best up there?
A 24-70mm and a 70-200mm will cover almost everything. Go much wider and you'll start catching the skids or the wing in your shots.
What's it like shooting with the doors off?
Loud, windy and unforgettable. You're harnessed in the whole time and everything is strapped to you. One tip: dress warmer than you think you'll need. Even in the tropics it gets cold up there with the door off.
Is there a weight limit for the aircraft?
The pilots need passenger weights to keep everything balanced and safe, so I'll ask you privately when we chat. It stays strictly between you, me and the pilot.
How does booking work?
Just fill in the enquiry form on the workshop page. I'll get back to you, normally within 24 hours, with the booking details, payment information and terms. Your place is confirmed once your deposit is paid.
Do I need aerial experience?
Not at all. As long as you know your way around your camera, I'll guide you through the rest. Shooting from the air feels a little unusual at first, but most people are comfortable by the end of the first flight.
What happens if the weather grounds a flight?
It's part of aerial photography. I build some flexibility into every itinerary and do everything I can to reschedule flights within the trip. The full details are in the terms and conditions.
How confident do I need to be with my drone?
You'll want to be comfortable taking off and landing from uneven ground and flying in a light breeze. If you're still building confidence, a few practice sessions before the trip make a real difference.
When should I arrive?
I recommend arriving the day before we start. Flights can run late, and it means you'll be fresh on day one. I'll send through the meeting point and time before the trip.
How much luggage can I bring?
Usually one medium sized bag for clothes and a second, smaller bag for your camera gear. Soft bags or a well designed hard case are both fine. We play a bit of suitcase Jenga each day, which is all part of the fun.
Will I have my own room?
Yes. Everyone has their own room on all group and private workshops, unless you'd like to share. The accommodation for each trip is listed on its page.
Are meals included?
Meals aren't included in the price, so everyone pays for their own. On group workshops we usually eat together, which is one of the best parts of the trip, but if you'd like a quiet night to yourself that's completely fine.
Will I have phone coverage?
Most of the places we visit have phone coverage, with the occasional blank spot, usually while we're travelling between locations. From 2027 my expedition vehicles have Starlink on board as well, so staying in touch is easy.
Can my partner come along?
Often, yes. It depends on the trip and the seats in the aircraft, so just mention it when you get in touch and we'll work something out.
What if I'd rather do something private?
If the dates don't suit, or you'd like a trip built entirely around you, I also run private tours for one to three people. Have a look at my availability calendar and get in touch.